Using even though/although

Even though and although, like despite, in spite of, and albeit, convey contrasting ideas or situations. To use even though and although correctly, we need to add a clause immediately following. A clause always has a subject and a verb.

like this:
1. Even though he was tired, he did the dishes.
2. Although it started snowing, they kept playing.
3. They went to the party even though it was two hours away.
4. The professor let her in although she was already 30 minutes late.
5. He aced the test even though he didn't study.

Punctuation note:
The clause with although and even though is an adverb clause. If the adverb clause starts the sentence, place a comma after the clause.
Even though she was alone, she wasn't scared.

However, if the adverb clause follows the main clause, don't use a comma.
She wasn't scared even though she was alone.

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have got to hand it to someone

A good idiom is worth teaching again, so here are a few more examples of an idiom we've taught here before. We first taught this two years ago, on Nov. 9, 2009.

1. I've got to hand it to Sue; she knows how to find good deals when she's out shopping.
2. Jim finished the project on time! I've got to hand it to him; he's good at coming up with ideas under pressure.
3. I've got to hand it to that guy; you wouldn't see me walking around Time Square in my underwear.
4. I've got to hand it to the organizers; they put together another excellent event.
5. I've got to hand it to you; you're very patient. I would've quit by now.

When you've got to hand it to someone, you're complimenting this person. You're saying that you're impressed with him or his abilities.

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Using despite/in spite of

1. They continued to work despite their exhaustion.

2. He supported the President's policy in spite of strong opposition.
3. Despite being told not to take a taxi, he did.
4. In spite of the constant rattling of the trains outside his window, he is able to sleep soundly.
5. Despite the fact that he woke up late, he still made it to work on time.

Despite and in spite of are similar to even though, although, albeit, and but, which all convey or show contrast. Follow despite and in spite of with a noun, a gerund, or the phrase, "the fact that + clause (subject + verb)"

like this: The following sentences mean the same thing.
a. Despite extreme exhaustion, they worked.
b. Despite being extremely tired, they worked.
c. Despite the fact that they were tired, they worked.

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at the drop of a hat

1. Careful not to anger the boss; he's been known to fire people at the drop of a hat.
2. In the summer, they've thrown a party or two at the drop of a hat.
3. Our neighbors love to get in their car and drive for hours at the drop of a hat. Sometimes they call to invite us.
4. Keep an eye on Tom at the party. He starts fights at the drop of a hat when he's had too much to drink.
5. The manager's strict, but he'll do what he can to help at the drop of a hat.

When you do something at the drop of a hat, you do it right away, without planning, as soon as you're given the opportunity or when pushed in some way.

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Happy National Punctuation Day!

To commemorate National Punctuation Day, here are a few basic rules to live by when you write.


1. Don't use a comma between two independent clauses. You can either end the first sentence with a period or a semicolon if the two sentences have a clear connection.
a.  They love the beach. Surfing is their main hobby. [good]
b.  They love the beach; surfing is their main hobby. [good] 
c.  They love the beach, surfing is their main hobby. [bad]


2.  Use a comma if there is a conjunction between two independent clauses.
a.  The rain started to fall, and everyone began packing up their things. [good]
b.  The rain started to fall, but no one wanted to leave. [good]
c.  The rain started to fall, no one wanted to leave. [bad]  


3.  Don't use a comma if there is only one subject for two verbs.
a.  The kids wanted to stay, but the adults wanted to leave. [good]
b.  The kids wanted to stay and wait for the rain to stop. [good]
c.  The kids wanted to stay, and wait for the rain to stop. [bad]


4.  Don't use a comma if the main or independent clause starts the sentence.
a.  They had the party outside even though it rained a little. [good]
b.  They had the party outside, even though it rained a little. [bad]


5.  Use a comma if the independent clause goes after the dependent clause.
a.  Despite his anger, he tried to stay calm. [good]
b.  Despite his anger he tried to stay calm. [bad]


Remember these quick punctuation basics, put them to use in your essays, and you're off to a good start. Happy National Punctuation Day, everyone!


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Be blown away

1. The performers were all amateurs, but they blew us away with their amazing performance.
2. We were blown away by the quality of the exhibit.
3. The manager was blown away by the applicant's wide range of experience.
4. The food critic must have been blown away; he gave the restaurant a rousing review.
5. The passengers were blown away by the professionalism of the flight attendants during the emergency. They spoke highly of them on camera.

[rousing - exciting; exceptional]
When you are blown away or when someone blows you away, you are impressed.

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GR - reported speech part 5

In this fifth and final post of this GrammarReminder series on reported speech, we'll look at a conversation between two people and see how both of them report what the other said. For a quick review on how to shift tenses, check out part 1 of this series.

the conversation:
Tom: Hi Sue. How's your new job going?
Sue: It's going really well. There's a lot to learn, but it's not too difficult. Plus, it's fun.
Tom: You know, John asked about you. He was a little worried. He'd heard you'd had some trouble at your old job.
Sue: Yeah? I'll give him a call sometime. It was definitely tough dealing with those people; I'm glad I got out of there.
Tom: Well, I wish you the best in your new job.
Sue: Thanks. So far, so good. Hey, tell John I've been really busy, but I'll give him a call soon.
Tom: Alright. Will do. Nice seeing you again. Take care.

Sue: Thanks. You too.

Later that day, Tom met with his friend, John, and told him about meeting Sue. 

Tom: Hey, I saw Sue today.  

John: Yeah? How's she doing?

Tom: She's doing great. I asked her how her job was going. She said it was going well. She said there was a lot to learn, that it wasn't too difficult, and that it was fun. I told her that you'd been worried about her. That you'd heard she'd had some trouble at her old job. 

John: Uh huh. What did she say?

Tom: She said she would give you a call. She said the old job had been tough and that she was glad she had gotten out of there. I wished her the best, and she told me to tell you that she had been very busy, but she would give you a call soon.

Sue also told her husband about her meeting with Tom.

Sue: I met Tom today. We chatted a little. He asked me how my job was going. He said John had been a little worried about me; he'd heard that I'd had some problems at my old job. I told him to tell John that I'd been really busy, and that I would give him a call soon.

That's it, folks. Remember, practice makes perfect. Please post or email your questions and comments.

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Using albeit (conj)

There are a couple of things to remember about using albeit (a conjunction): first, its meaning is similar to even though, although, despite, in spite of, and but, which means it conveys contrasting ideas; second, it's followed by an adjective, an adverb, or a prepositional phrase; third, it's usually followed by a negative idea.

like this:
1. The course was informative and exciting, albeit tough.
2. Some people said the food at the party wasn't very good. However, the guests did finish everything on their plates, albeit slowly.
3. They saw a lot of New York City in just two days, albeit from the top deck of a sightseeing bus.
4. It was a great party. It was a lot of fun, albeit very crowded.
5. His experience, albeit through internships, is quite extensive.

Try your hand at using albeit. Send your sentences in by email or post them below!

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Sniffling, but digging the cooler weather

I'm really digging this cooler weather, but it can take a toll on you if you're not careful. Yesterday, I went out for a stroll with some students without a jacket. The sun was out, but it felt a little chilly. When we got back, I started to get the sniffles; my nose started to run, and by my evening classes, I was sneezing, blowing my nose, and feeling like I was getting sick.


I told my students I wasn't sick though. (I'm never really one to admit that I'm not feeling well unless I'm curled up in bed with a fever.) I told them I just had the sniffles even though my nose was getting red, and I had to run to the restroom a couple of times to stock up on paper towels.


By the time I got home, I was feeling like crap. My girlfriend made some congee (a rice dish), which was perfect and really hit the spot. A nice dinner, a warm shower, a good-night's sleep, albeit only 7 hours (I could've used 10) made a huge difference. I feel much better this morning. I've had a sniffle or two since I woke up, but overall, I'm good-to-go for the day. 


Vocabulary:
digging - liking; enjoying (slang)
take a toll on - eventually cause a negative effect
a stroll - a leisurely walk
the sniffles - breathing with a runny nose
runny nose - when fluid is dripping from the nose 
stock up on - gather; save for future use
feeling like crap - feeling horrible (informal)
hit the spot - took care of the hunger; made you feel better (usually about food)
albeit - but; even though (showing contrast) 


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GR - reported speech part 4

In this fourth installment of our GrammarReminder series on reported speech, let's look at how to report questions.

There are two main things to remember: first, follow the rules of reported speech outlined in our Sept. 8 post; second, follow the rules of embedding questions--use the question words in information questions, use if or whether for yes/no questions, and invert the placement of subjects and verbs. For a quick review of embedded questions start with our August 23 post.

like this:
1. "Where can I mail this letter?" John asked.
Reported speech: John asked where he could mail this letter.
2. "Why did Sue go to Miami?" John asked.
Reported speech: He was wondering why Sue had gone to Miami.
3. "Does she fly there often?" he asked.
Reported speech: He also asked if she flew there often.
4. "Have they been to Disney World?" he wondered.
Reported speech: He wondered if they had been to Disney World.
5. "When will they get back?" John asked.
Reported speech: John asked when they would get back.
6. "How many kids are going with them?" he asked.
Reported speech: He asked me how many kids were going with them.
7. "Will they be back in time for the party next month?" he inquired.
Reported speech: He inquired as to whether they would be back in time for the party next month.
8. "Are they looking forward to their trip?" John asked.
Reported speech: John asked whether they were looking forward to their trip.

Look out for more examples in our fifth and last installment in this series. For now, have you signed up for our email updates? Enter your email address on the right margin and start getting our lessons in your inbox!

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It's your call

1. I can't decide on where to go, so it's your call.
2. We told him picking a restaurant was his call since he knew the area much better than we did.
3. They told me it was my call, so I decided to take the train instead of the bus.
4. Whose call was it to hold the meeting on a Saturday?
5. It was the manager's call; it was the only day when everybody could make it.

When you say, "It's your call," you're telling someone to make the decision.

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GR - Reported Speech part 3

Before you look at this lesson, make sure you've checked out part 1 and part 2 of this GrammarReminder series to review the rules and see the first set of examples.


In this lesson, take note of how the past perfect tense doesn't change when you report what someone said. Also notice how can becomes could, may becomes might, and how an imperative (a command) becomes an infinitive.


like this: 
Sally said, "I had already eaten lunch when they finally arrived."
Reported Speech: I spoke to Sally, and she said that she had already eaten lunch when they finally arrived.
Sally said, "I can never depend on them to be on time."
Reported Speech: She said she could never depend on them to be on time.
Sally said: "I may not go to their party, after all."
Reported Speech: She told me she might not go to their party, after all.
Sally said, "Let me know if you decide to go to Montreal; I may go with you."
Reported Speech: She said to let her know if I decided to go to Montreal because she might go with me.


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sporadic (adj)

1. His visits to the hospital became sporadic once he started school, but they were still greatly appreciated by the staff.
2. In general, he was a good student, but his sporadic attendance caused him to fail the class.
3. Tom's calls home became sporadic once he started working.
4. These days, he's often tired although he does get sporadic bursts of energy.
5. He realized his interest in the new gadget was sporadic at best, so he decided to return it.

When something is sporadic, it happens irregularly and often infrequently. Because of this, it can also convey the idea that it's undependable.

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GR - Reported Speech part 2

If you haven't yet, please check out part 1 of this GrammarReminder series for a quick introduction to reported speech.


In part 2, we're going to look at some examples of reporting someone's speech. Take note of how the present tense becomes past tense, the past tense becomes past perfect, the present perfect becomes past perfect, and how will becomes would.


like this: 
John said, "I'm going on vacation." 
Reported Speech: I spoke to John, and he said he was going on vacation.
John said, "I don't want to spend too much money, so I'm going somewhere close to home."
Reported Speech: He said he didn't want to spend too much money so he was going somewhere close to home.
John said, "My neighbor will keep an eye on my house. I've watched their house before when they went on vacation.
Reported speech: He said his neighbor would keep an eye on his house. He said he had watched their house before when they had gone on vacation.


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Quick GrammarReminder: It's high time ...

Use the past tense after "It's time someone ...," "It's high time someone ..." or "It's about time someone ..." These expressions mean "the time is now" or "you should do it now."

like this:
1. You should come to Miami for spring break. It's high time you came to visit us.
2. He's currently checking out Masters programs. He thinks it's about time he went back to school.
3. His parents thinks it's high time he got married and settled down.
4. Let's go to a Japanese restaurant. It's about time you tried sushi and sashimi.
5. They signed up for English classes. They thought it was time they learned to speak English. After all, they've lived here for 5 years.

Note: It's about time can also mean "finally", especially when used by itself.
Example: Well, it's about time! We've been waiting for hours!

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Burying the hatchet

1. The boss told them to bury the hatchet. Their constant fighting is affecting office morale.
2. They're trying to bury the hatchet, but they really can't stand each other.
3. He says he's buried the hatchet, but she's still really pissed at what he did.
4. Burying the hatchet is not easy when the attacks have become personal.
5. They've finally buried the hatchet. Now they're the best of friends.

Burying the hatchet means to stop fighting or to make peace with another person. (A hatchet is a small ax.)

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Vocabulary in the news

1. There's a credible terror threat against New York City and Washington, D.C. tied to the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. (believable)
2. They say they are stepping up security, doing things that will be noticeable to the public. (increasing)
3. The threat at this moment has not been corroborated. (confirmed)
4. Since May, U.S. law enforcement officials have been concerned that in the wake of Osama bin Laden's death, al Qaeda or sympathizers could plan retaliatory attacks. (following) (in revenge)
5. Just be vigilant. If you see something potentially suspicious, call 311. And if you see something that you think is potentially dangerous, call 911. (awake; alert)




News clip taken from wabc7 Eyewitness News.


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GR - Reported Speech part 1

Alright, everyone. We're starting a GrammarReminder series on how to report what someone said or wrote. This is called reported speech or indirect speech. Using this grammar point correctly in your writing and speaking shows that your English is at an advanced level. So let's practice!

First, make sure you have a good grasp of the verb tenses because we have to shift them when we report what someone said. Next, be aware of the pronouns, which need to be changed when you're talking about someone. Third, you may also have to modify time references depending on when you're reporting the speech.

Perhaps the part that you have to think about most when you report someone's speech is the change in the verb tense. Basically, we shift the tense back because we are talking about what someone said in the past.  In other words, if someone says something in the present tense, when we report what this person said, we change the verb to the past tense--btw, if you use "say" instead of "said", there is no need to shift verb tenses.

Here are the rules for shifting verb tenses from Quoted Speech to Reported Speech:

Quoted Speech       ----->     Reported Speech

present tense         ----->     past tense

past tense              ----->     past perfect tense

present perfect      ----->     past perfect tense

past perfect           ----->     (no change)

will                        ----->     would

can                       ----->     could

may                       ----->     might

imperative              ----->     infinitive

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minute (adj)

1. He has to work late, but he said there was a minute possibility he might be able to leave early.
2. He doesn't buy lottery tickets because the chances of winning are so minute.
3. Food labels now inform consumers if even minute amounts of nuts are found in the products since many people are allergic to nuts.
4. The room looked clean until we drew the curtains, let the light in, and saw minute particles of dust floating in the air.
5. He's fallen so far behind that the chances of him catching up with his classmates are now so minute.

Minute is pronounced /mai noot/ and is a synonym of minuscule from our Sept. 2 post. It means very small in amount, size, or significance. 


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minuscule (adj)

1. Experts say even minuscule amounts of second-hand smoke can be harmful.
2. Most people think radiation emitted by cell phones are so minuscule they're not worth worrying over.
3. He doesn't think he'll get the job; he says his experience is minuscule compared to the other applicants.
4. Studying English every single day even in minuscule amounts can make a huge difference in the long run.
5. Pennies on the sidewalk seem minuscule, but if you regularly pick them up, they add up.

Minuscule means very small in amount (or in size).

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